System and apparatus for delaying response of electroresponsive devices



Sept. 1, 1925.

1,552,235 M. H. RUSSELL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DELAYING RESPONSE OF ELECTRORESPONSIVE DEVICES FiledDec. 19;. 192: '2 SheetI-She'et 1 Fig.1.

Irv/ ent or:

Marsha. lLRusselL- Patented Sept. 1:, v

. UNITED- STAT-ESL I 55 1 {PATENT OFFICE? MABSHALILH. RUSSELL, OI. CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASBIGNOR TO 'GENEBAL ELECTRIC.

COMPANY,- A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DEEAYING RESPONSE OF ELEOTRORESP ONS IVE DEVICES.

Application filed December'lB, 1928. Serial 11,0. 681,451..

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, MARSHALL H. Res- SELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cincinnati, in the county of Ham lton, tate of Ohio, have invented certam new and useful Improvements in Systems and Apparatus for 'Delaying Response of Electroresponsive Devices, of which the following-is a specification.

My invention relates to electro responsive devices and more particularl to electrically actuated control systems an apparatus-for delaying the response of such devices.

,Qn'e' of the objectsof my invention is to provide an improved electrically actuated control system and apparatus by means of which the response -.of an electro-responsive device is delayed for a predetermined time interval after the initial energization 29 thereof.

Another object of my invention is the provision of means for normally preventing the response of an electro-responsive device together with an electrically actuated tim- 5 ing mechanism arranged to be energized simultaneously with the initial ener 'zation of the electro-responsive deviceffor disabling fthe said means after a predetermined time interval so as-to'then permit response ofthe device and also of additional means actuated upon the response of the electro-responsive device for maintaining the first means dis abled independently .of the timing mechanism. e

A further object of my invention is to providei-an improved electrically actuated control system and apparatus for a series of electro-responsive devices in which the several devices respond successively at pre- I determined time intervals afterthe initial ,energization of the first device.

My invention is of particular utility switches employed incoiitrolsystems although 'it will be evident that my invention I,

may also be employed to delay the response.

' of other electro-res onsive devices.

v For a better on erstanding of my' invention, reference may be had to the following description together with the accompanyvided with operating windings 12, 13, and

movable magnetic members 14, 15, respectively, and constitute theelectro-responsive devices to which my invention ..is applied. The electromagnetic switches 10 and 11 are arranged to independently connect the electric motors 16 and 17 respectively to'the power supply lines 18, 19 and 20 through suitable electrical conductors. As shown, themotors16 and 17 are each of the three phase alternating current type and the sup-' ply lines 18, 19 and 20 correspondingly represent a three I phase alternatingcurrent source, although it will be evident that any other desired type of translating device may be arranged-to be connected to a suitable supply source. by the electromagnetic switches 10 and 11.

To control the energizing circuits of'the' operating windings 12 and 13 of the switches .10 and 11,-the manually operated control nected with the energizing circuits of themotors 16 and 17 in a manner which will. be

more fully describedin connection with the operation of my invention.

-delaying the response of electro-magnetic' electromagnetic switches 10 and 11-are each provided with an electrically actuated tim- .1ng mecha'nsim, indicated as 26 and 27 re In accordance with my invention, theseveral motors is materialy less than if they are simultaneously started.

The electrically actuated timing mechanism 26, in the referred form shown, comprises an electrical controlling means such as the resistor 28 and an electrically heated thermal responsive relay 29-a'rranged to disable the controlling means. The resistor 28 is normally connected in series circuit with the operating winding 12 of electromagnetic switch 10 and is of sufiicient ohmic resistance to prevent response of the latter when the energizingv circuit of the winding .12 is closed. The thermal relay 29 includes a suitable thermal responsive-rv member 36, which as shown is of the bi-metallic thermostatic type, and a heating coil 31, which is arranged in close thermal relation with the thermal responsive element 30 and is connected so as to be ener ized simultaneously with the energization o the operating winding 12 of electromagnetic switch 10. One end of the bi-metallic element 30 is fixedin a suitable support 32 and the free end is I eratin biased when cool I to the position shown. When the coil 31 is energized, the thermal responsiveelement 30 is heated and the free end of the latter bends to the left and permits the pivoted switch 33 to be moved into I engagement with the adjustable contact 34 by a suitable tension spring 35.

nism 27 comprises a resistor 36, a heating coil 37, a'thermal responsive element 38 and a pivoted switch 39, each of which is similar to the" corresponding part of timing mechanism 26 and is arranged in the same manner, as previously described. I

The electromagnetic switches 10 and 11 are provided with the auxiliary contacts 40 and 41 respectively which are moved to the closed position and short circuit t e resistor and the heating coil of the corresponding electrically actuated timing mechanism 26 and 27 when each switch responds to energization of its operating winding.

As thus constructed and arranged and with the parts in their respective positions shown, the operation of my invention in delayin the response of electromagnetic switc es 10 and 11 is as follows: Assume that the supply lines 18, 19 and 20 are suitably energized to operate the motors l6 and 17 when the electromagnetic switches 10 and .11 are operated 'to the closed osition. Closure of control button 21 Wlll initiate the successive operation of electromagnetic switches 10 and 11 by first establishingian energizing circuit for the operating win of e ectromagnetic switch 25 from the supply line 18 through the control' button 22 and control button'21 in series, and the opwinding of electromagnetic switch 25 to t e other supply line 19.

Electromagnetic switch 25 at once closes completed from supply l1ne'18 through the control button 22, the upper blade of switch 25, the control button 23, the heating coil 3laand the resistor 28 of the electrically actuated timing mechanism 26 in series, the ioperating winding 12 and thence through the lower blade of switch 25 to .the other supply line 19. It will be observed that clo sure of, the upper blade of electromagnetic switch 25 also completes a holding circuit for the operating winding of this switch in shunt with the control button 21 and the latter may 'then'be released to return to the open position according to its bias.- t

- As previously poined out, the resistor 28 limits the initial energizing current of operating .winding 12 below the value at which the movable magnetic member 14 will respond. The heating coil 31, however, is energized by this initial energizing current of the operating winding 12 and gradually "heats the thermal responsive element 30.

After a predetermined time interval the.

g that by proper adjustment of the contact 34, The electrically actuated timing mecha-.

the time interval between the initial energization of operating winding 12 and .the

closure of pivoted switch 33 may be varied at will. Closure of the pivoted switch 33 short circuits the resistor 28 and thereupon the energizing current of operating winding 12 is'increased to full value, ThlS at once effects the response of movable magnetic member 14. to close the electromagnetic switch 10 and energize the motor 16 from the supply lines 18, 19 and 20. At the same time the auxiliary contact 40 of electromagnetic switch 10 is closed andshort circuits both the resistor 28 and the heating coil 31 of the "electrically actuated timing mechanism 26. Upon the deenergization otthe/ heating coil31, the thermal responsive ele-, ment 30 is permitted to cool and return to I the position shown inthe drawing accordto its bias, thus actuating the pivoted switch 33 against the strain of the tension sprin 35 to the open position in prepara-' tion or" a subsequent operation. A

It will be observed that upon the closure of electromagnetic switch 10 and the consequent energization of motor 16, an energizing circuit for the operating winding 13 ofelectromagnetic switch 11 is completed from the supply line 18 through the lower blade of electromagnetic switch 10, the con-- ductor 42, the control button 24, the heat ing coil 37 and resistor 36 of the electrically actuated timing mechanism 27 in series, the winding 13, the conductor 43, and the lower blade of electromagnetic switch to the othersupply line 19. The resistor 36, however, preventssuflicient energization of the operating winding 13 to efiect response of the movable magnetic-'member 15. The

Y heating coil- 37 is energized and heats the operating winding 13 is increased to full value and effects response of movable magnetic member 15. The electromagnetic switch 11 is thus operated to the closed .position and the motor 17 is energized from the suppl lines 18', 19 and 20, the resistor 36 v and t e heating coil 37 are short circuited by means of theauxiliary contact 41, and the conductor 44 is connected to the supply lines 18 through the lower blade of switch '11. J

Although I have illustrated only two electromagnetic switch which respond in sequence a predetermined time interval after the closure of the energizing circuits thereof, it will be understood that any desired number of additional electromagnetic switches may be operated in similar manner and I have shown the conductors 13 and 44 extended to the right to indicate connections to such additional electromagnetic switches.

Should it be desired to omit operation of the electromagnetic switch 10 and initially energize the electromagnetic switch 11 by the operation of control button 21, the control button23 is first operated from the position shown so as to open the energizing circuit of the operating winding 12 of I electromagnetic switch 10 at the upper contactsthereof and to cldse the energizing circuit of operating winding 13 of electromagnetic switch 11. at the lower contacts thereof. Closure of control button 21 and the conseduent response of electromagnetic switch 25 will then initially complete an energizing circuit for operatingwinding 13 of electromagnetic switch 11 as follows: from supply line 18 through the control button 22, theupper blade of electromagnetic switch 25, the control button 23 in its lower position, the control button 24 and the heating coil 37 and resistor 360i theelectrically actuated timing mechanism in series,

the operating winding 13, conductor 43 and the lower blade of electromagnetic switch 25 to the other supply line 19.- This.efiects the response of electromagnetic switch-11 after a predetermined time interval in exactly the same manner as previously described. It will be evident that when -ad-. ditional electromagnetic switches are con-'5" nected to the conductors 43 and 44, the control button 24 may be operated from the position shown to the position in which its lower contacts are closed in order to omit the operation of electromagnetic-switch 11 and effect the delayed operation of the next succeedingswitch.

At any time after the operation of control button 21 and the response 'of electromagnetic switch 25, further operation of my improved electrically actuated control system and apparatus may be stopped by the actuation of control button 22 from the closed position shown to the open position.

Opening of control button 22 effects the deenergization of the operating winding of electromagnetic switch 25 and the latter opens according to its bias to deenergizeall of the other apparatus in the system.

In case it should be desirable to elitninate the delay in the response of the first electromagnetic devicein the series to which my invention is applied, a control system and apparatus such as shown in Fig. 2 may be employed.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 the additional electromagnetic switch 50 having an operating winding 51 and a movable magnetic member 52 is provided for connecting the motor 53 to the supply lines 18, 19 and 2O before the electromagnetic switches 10 and 11 are successively operated to connect the motors' 16 and 17 to the sup ply lines in a similar manner to that. dc

scribed in connection with Fig. .,1.

The electromagnetic switch50 may be similar in all respects to the electromagnetic switches 10 and 11 except that the former is not provided with an electrically actuated timing mechanism. The operating winding 51 of electromagnetic switch 50 is so connected in the control system that upon closure of control button 21 and the resulting response of electromagnetic switch 25, the windingv 51 is immediately energized through a circuit extending from the supply line 18, the control button 22, the upper blade of electromagnetic switch 25, the control button 54 which is similar in construction to the control buttons, 23 and 24 as previously described, the'winding 51 and the lower blade of. electromagnetic switch 25 to the other supply line 19. 4 Upon the resulting closure of electromagnetic switch 50 the motor 53 is connected ,to the supply lines and the operating winding 12 of electromagnetic switch 10 is also energized through the lower blade of switch50 and the conductor 55. v I e It will be observed in Fig. 2 that the electrically actuated timing'mechanis'ms 26, and 27 votelectromagnetic switches 10 and 11 are .a modification of the form shown and described "in connection with Fig. 1.' In the modified form illustrated, the resistors, 56 and 57 are arra-n ed to' perform theco bined functions of eating the thermal reins I derstood that afterthe closure of control a button 21 and the resulting response of electromagnetic switches 25 and 50, the energizing circuit for the operating winding 12 for electromagnetic switch is established from the supply line 18 through the lower blade of switch 50,'the conductor 55, control button 23, the resistance 56, winding 12, conductor 43, and the lower blade of electromagnetic switch to the other supply line 19. The resistance 56 maintains the initial energizing current through the winding 12 at a value below that required to effect operation of the movable magnetic member ll. This value ofcurrent through the resistor 56 however heats the thermal responsive element and the latter gradually bends to the right and after a predetermined time interval short circuits the resistance 56. The energization of operating winding 12 is thereupon increased to full value and the switch 10"is operated to the closed position to connect the motor 16 to resulting switch 11- to connect the motor 17 to supthe supply'line 18, 19 and 20, and at the same tlme to independently short circuit the resistance 56 by closure of the auxiliary contact 40, and also establish an energizing circuit for the operating winding 18 and electromagnetic switch 11 through the con ductor Hand the control button 24; The

operation of electromagnetic ply lines 18, 1.9, 20, after a predetermined time interval is obviously similar to that of switch 10 as just described.

The features of selectively omitting operation of any of the electromagnetic switches shown in Fig. 2 and of connecting additional switch units to the extensions of the conductors 42 and 43 are the same as described in connection with Fig. 1.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle'ofoperation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to rripresent the best embodiment thereof; but desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown isonly illustrative, and

that the invention can other means. I i What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. The combination with an electro-re sponsive device, of means normally ark ranged to prevent response thereof, an elece carried out by for maintainin gized simultaneously with the initial ener-' gization of said device and having a movable member for disabling the sa1d means after a predetermined time interval to permit res onse-of the said device and means actuate upon the response of said device the said first means disabled indepen ently of the said timing mechanism.

2. The combination with an electro-rewith and normally reventing response thereof, an electrical y actuated timing mechanism energized responsively to the current in the said circult and having a movable element for short circuiting the said resistor. after a predetermined time interval to permit response of the said de vice, and'switch mechanism actuated upon the res onse of said device for maintaining the said resistor short circuited independently of the said timing mechanism.

3. The combination withan electro-responsive device, of a resistor in the enerr izing circuit of the said device and normally preventing operative energization thereof, a thermal element heated responsively to the current in the said circuit for short circuiting the said resistor after a predetermined time interval to permit operative energization of the. said switch, and switch mecha- -vice for maintaining the said resistor short circuited independently of the said element. 4. The combination with an electroresponsive device, of a resistor in circuit with the operating winding of the said device and normally preventing operative energization thereof, a thermal electric timing mechanism' comprising a heating coil electrically connected in said circuit, and a thermal responsive member thermally related to said coil and switch mechanism operated by the said member for short circuiting the said resistor a predetermined time interval after the energization of said winding and said coil to permit operative energization of the Said switch.' l v 5. A sequence control system for a series of electrically operated devices, comprising resistors in circuit with each of said devices for preventing operative energization thererentofeach device or short circuiting the corresponding resistor to permit operative energ1zat1on of each device aredetermmed time interval. after the initia energization thereof,- and switch mechanism actuated upon the response of each device for main-- taining the'correspondin resistor short circuited independently 0 ,the said timing 'nism actuated upon the response of said demechanism and forrenergizing-the, next 3110- -ce ed ingdevie in the series. trically actuated timing mechanism enerresistors in the energizing circuit-of each' of electrically operated devices, comprising resistors in the energizingcircuit of each of said devlces for preventing operatlve energization thereof, a thermal responsive of said devices for preventing operative energization thereof, electrically heated thermal timing means initially energized responsively to the energizing current of each device, the said means comprising thermal responsive members operable between cool and hot positions for controlling the cor-v responding resistor to permit operative-energization of each device a predetermined time interval after the initial energization thereof, and switch mechanism controlled by said devices and electrical connections whereby upon the operation of each of said devices the next succeeding device in the series is energized.

8. A sequence starting system'for a plu rality of electric motors, comprising a series of se arately operated electromagnetic switches or independently connecting each motor to a source of supply, resistors in series circuit with the operating windings of said switches for preventing operative energization thereof, thermal timing means ccn1- prisin heating coils in series circuit withthe sa1d operating windings and energized responsively to the energizing current of each switch, and thermal responsive elements thermally related to said coils and operable between cool and hot positions for controlling the corresponding resistor to permit operative energization of each switch a predetermined time interval after the imtial energization thereof, and electrical connections controlled by each switch whereby upon the operation of said switch, the corresponding heating coil and resistor are short circuited and the next" succeeding switch in the series is energized.

, In witness whereof, I have ,"hereunto set my hand this 14th day of December, 1923.

MARSHALL H. RUSSELL I 

